Q: Why should I choose you as my financial advisor?

We Dont Sell. We Advise. We always act in a fiduciary capacity. We dont sell any financial products, and are instead only paid directly by our clients by a combination of fixed- or hourly-fees or a percentage of assets under management. Because of this, our interests are aligned with yours. *We are always a Fiduciary for our Clients*, which means we must act in your best interest. Clear View has the flexibility to pick and choose high-quality, cost-efficient solutions from a wide universe of service providers with virtually no restrictions so we can do whats best for you.

Question 1

Do you have a customer satisfaction or refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Refund within first five business days of service engagement.

Question 2

Why should I choose you as my financial advisor?

Accepted Answer

We Dont Sell. We Advise. We always act in a fiduciary capacity. We dont sell any financial products, and are instead only paid directly by our clients by a combination of fixed- or hourly-fees or a percentage of assets under management. Because of this, our interests are aligned with yours. *We are always a Fiduciary for our Clients*, which means we must act in your best interest. Clear View has the flexibility to pick and choose high-quality, cost-efficient solutions from a wide universe of service providers with virtually no restrictions so we can do whats best for you.

Question 3

What are your qualifications? What is your education background?

Accepted Answer

Steve Stanganelli is a five-star rated, board-certified financial planning professional who has over 20 years of experience. Steve earned his Master of Science degree in Finance (MSF) from Bentley College with high distinction.  He is also an honors graduate of the University of Massachusetts  Lowell. Steve holds the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ", CHARTERED RETIREMENT PLANNING COUNSELOR ", ACCREDITED ESTATE PLANNER ®, and a college planning designation (CCFC®) based on testing and/or experience requirements.

Question 4

How do you charge for your services?

Accepted Answer

Hourly rate, fixed-fee for planning projects, or fixed-fee for investment management.

Question 5

How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?

Accepted Answer

Fee-Only Advisor:  Hourly rate (average of $200/hour); Fixed-Fee Projects (starting at $1,000); Fixed-Fee Investment Management for advisor-directed management (starting at $100/month for investment up to $100,000)

Question 6

If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell something?

Accepted Answer

No. Typically, clients will provide full discretion to us which means that we will trade as we deem appropriate to meet the goals and needs of the client while also staying aligned with the client investment risk profile.

Question 7

How many clients do you currently manage?

Accepted Answer

Generally, I serve approximately 112 clients each year providing standalone financial or tax planning projects. Included in this are thirty-eight households that also subscribe to investment management services.

Question 8

Will you be the only person working with me?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 9

Do you offer any guaranteed results?

Accepted Answer

No. Guaranteed investment results are not allowed by law.

Question 10

How much risk should I be willing to take?

Accepted Answer

That will depend on a combination of factors including your net worth, income, age, spending needs, and risk profile.

Question 11

Have you ever been charged with any breaches?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 12

What services do you provide?  What are your specialties?

Accepted Answer

We offer clients an objective, independent and qualified resource in the following areas:

Retirement Income Planning
    Divorce Financial Planning
    College Aid & Funding Strategies
    Elder Care Financial Issues
    Alternative Investment, Tax Planning & Self-Directed IRA Strategies
    Risk-Managed Investing with Proactive Tactical Advice for 401k Accounts

Question 13

What is your experience?  How many clients do you currently manage?

Accepted Answer

Steve Stanganelli is a five-star rated, board-certified financial planning professional who has over 20 years of experience. Generally, Steve provides planning services to over 100 clients annually and 38 households are provided with advisor-directed investment management.

Question 14

What financial institution(s) do you represent?

Accepted Answer

The firm operates as an independent Registered Investment Advisor and does not represent any financial institution. We utilize third-party custodians to handle record-keeping and trading functions on client accounts directly managed by the firm as a discretionary investment advisor. These custodians include Altruist Financial, Goldman Sachs Custody, CNB Custody, and Betterment Institutional.

Question 15

What is your approach to financial planning?

Accepted Answer

We take a planning-first approach for clients. Before management or providing recommendations for any investments, we will start with a financial plan. Modular/limited-scope or comprehensive planning options are detailed on the website as well as the regulatory Firm Brochure (Form ADV 2A).

Question 16

What services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Full range of fiduciary planning services including limited-scope and comprehensive financial planning, retirement income planning, college planning, estate planning, tax planning, tax preparation, and investment guidance for self-directed investors as well as investment management for assets delegated for advisor management.

Question 17

What are your qualifications?

Accepted Answer

Steve Stanganelli is a five-star rated, board-certified financial planning professional who has over 20 years of experience.

Question 18

What is your approach to 401 K plan rollovers?

Accepted Answer

Assess the offerings and costs of the 401k platform compared to the options available in an IRA either held at one of the third-party custodians the firm uses or a third-party platform selected by the client.

Question 19

How long does the process of rolling over a 401K plan usually take?

Accepted Answer

That will depend on the paperwork required by the current 401k. It may take between two and 4 weeks typically.

Question 20

What financial institutions do you represent?

Accepted Answer

None.

Question 21

How many years of experience do you have?

Accepted Answer

Over 25 years.

Question 22

What are your fees for this service?

Accepted Answer

Same as for other financial or investment planning. A fixed-fee will be quoted based on the scope of services needed which can include tax or financial planning. Fees for investment management start at $100/month for accounts up to $200,000 and generally increase $100/month for each additional $200,000 to be managed.

Question 23

How many 401K rollover clients do you currently manage?

Accepted Answer

Assets under management exceed $24,000,000 and include a number of 401k rollovers.

Question 24

Why should I roll over my 401K plan to your firm?

Accepted Answer

Fiduciary services, access to additional financial and tax planning services, and fixed-fees that are generally lower than the typical variable assets under management model that other firms use.

Steven Stanganelli